2.5⭐️

I really wanted to love this book, especially as a plus size girl myself but I personally could not stand our main character and really had to push through to finish this book. Points for the concept of the story and seeing what it was trying to do.

I wanted to love this book so bad. It had a cute concept and I was all in. Oh! And I loved the Makeup Test by the same author! But this book…..was just not it.

“Let yourself be seen.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 3 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Touches on topics like parental abandonment, fatphobia, body shaming, and death of family members and pets. Contains some explicit sexual content.

“On the Plus Side” follows Everly Winters, who is currently a receptionist but aspiring to be a designer in marketing some day, as she is selected to be the subject of her all-time favorite reality TV show: On the Plus Side. This show follows plus-sized participants and helps them find themselves and reach their goals. Everly had never imagined in a million years that could be her, yet here she is. Will she find herself in the process or will she just shut off the world as she’s been doing for the past couple of years after an important loss in her life?

I absolutely loved this book. It caught my attention right off the bat and I loved all the characters. The spark between the main love interest was slow but worthwhile and honestly made sense. The one thing is I was left wanting so much more by the end, I just wasn’t ready to let go of this story quite yet—the ending all felt too sudden for me.

That being said, this book is for the girlies that enjoy reality TV shows—think Queer Eye meets plus-size representation. This book was just highly entertaining all throughout.

ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: December 26, 2023

I wanted really badly to enjoy this one because the premise sounded super cute, but the main character was just not enjoyable to read. Her whole backstory didn’t make a lot of sense, and the mmc fell so fast for her, but why even? We barely saw any true interaction between them other than him filming her a few times, and then he’s in love? Even after they began their relationship, we barely learned anything about Logan other than his love for dogs.

This one was a miss for me.

3.5 stars
Note: I previously received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and set it aside during the SMP boycott. My review is now based on the final copy.
I can’t remember what it was exactly that I didn’t gel with On the Plus Side the first time, but with a major exception related to genre trends, I found this to be a pleasant reading experience.
As a fat woman, I’m glad there are more authors coming into the romance genre to destigmatize fatness and promote body positivity, with Howe being no exception in this department. The concept of the titular reality show On the Plus Side highlights the positives of the body positivity movement more broadly, with it being important to make space for representation, while also crossing over with the drawbacks of reality television and the producers/network being willing to exploit their “talent” in order to achieve their goals.
And I see a lot of myself in Everly. She’s rather unassuming and prefers to slip by unnoticed, and going on TV is an outlet for her to build her confidence. I admire how she grows in this area, being able to advocate for herself both in her personal life and when she gets into tough situations courtesy of the show’s producers.
But as a romance, I had some mixed feelings. This is the most “women’s fiction” of Howe’s books (which already tend to skew that way anyway, as they’re all single POV), with Everly’s arc being more important than the romance, although the romance is fairly complementary with how it contributes to her growth. However, as an individual, Logan is such a tangential presence, and sometimes his job for the show comes into play, but not as much as I feel like it should have. For all that the MMC in Howe’s debut was complex and even divisive for some readers, at least he had substance…and given my low tolerance for BS from even fictional men, that’s saying something.
However, in spite of my minor disappointment in this regard, I feel like the positives (mostly) outweigh the negatives. Provided you know to expect a more “women’s fiction” angle going in, it’s a solid read and one I’d recommend to readers looking for romcoms with fat rep.

This review was previously withheld due to the Speak Up SMP boycott.


On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe is a grumpy/sunshine plus-size romance with some forced proximity and a great message.

On the Plus Side is not only the name of the book, it’s the name of a fictional plus-size makeover show that’s part What Not to Wear and part Queer Eye and when the FMC, Everly, gets nominated for the show, it completely changes her life for the better. She learns to stop hiding herself and to stop making herself smaller for the comfort of other people. She learns to go after what she wants. And most importantly of all, she learns to be herself again.

I absolutely adored Everly’s journey throughout the book because I saw so much of myself in her story. I related to the fatphobic comments from relatives, feeling like I needed to hide myself and shrink myself because the people around me thought I was too much, using my clothes as a way to blend in. Trying to find your way back to yourself is not easy but Everly showed us it’s necessary. She shows us that we are deserving of love even if we find it difficult to love ourselves.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a romance review without mention of the Book Boyfriend. Logan is the grumpy cameraman for the makeover show and he is easily one of my favorite Book Boyfriends. He really * sees * Everly and the way their relationship develops is swoonworthy. I already want to reread the book just so I can relive their lovestory.

This was my first book by Jenny L. Howe and it certainly won’t be the last. Her upcoming book, How to Get a Life in Ten Dates, is out 12/10/24 and I can’t wait to read it!

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

Representation in the rom com space is so important. While I do not personally love that a central premise is a makeover (even if centered in body positivity), I am glad that there's a protagonist finding love at any size.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Rating: 3/5

Thank you to SMP and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Jenny Howe is an author I want to love, but I just can’t seem to fully get on board with her work. After her debut, I had higher hopes for her second novel, but unfortunately, this one fell flat for me.

I appreciated the concept of the book was fun, and I enjoyed the diversity in the cast and the plus-size representation. However, despite Everly's journey of self-growth, the narrative often felt like one step forward, two steps back. Every time she made progress, the next page or two would focus on her self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy, which became frustratingly repetitive.

We kept often circling back to the same themes without much forward momentum. The reality show aspect, while intriguing in concept, was hard to follow and didn’t feel fully developed. There was simply too much happening, which made the plot feel scattered rather than cohesive. As for Logan, he seemed like a good guy—or at least we were told he was—but his character lacked depth. We didn’t get to know him well enough to fully invest in him or his relationship with Everly.
Overall, while the story had potential and moments of charm, it ultimately didn’t come together in a way that resonated with me.

"On the Plus Side" by Jenny L. Howe is a refreshing and heartwarming contemporary romance that celebrates self-acceptance, body positivity, and the journey to love oneself. The story follows the protagonist, who navigates the complexities of modern dating while grappling with her own insecurities about her body.

Howe’s writing is witty and engaging, bringing humor and relatability to the narrative. The characters are well-developed, with distinct personalities that resonate deeply. The protagonist’s journey towards self-love and confidence is both inspiring and realistic, making her experiences relatable to readers of all backgrounds.

The romance unfolds in a charming and believable way, showcasing the challenges and joys of finding love in a world that often prioritizes superficial ideals. Howe skillfully tackles themes of body image, societal expectations, and the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive friends and family.

The pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of lighthearted moments and poignant reflections that keep readers invested in the story. The dialogue is sharp and often humorous, adding depth to the relationships and making the characters feel like old friends.

Overall, "On the Plus Side" is a delightful and empowering read that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with self-acceptance or sought love in a judgmental world. Jenny L. Howe has crafted a novel that is both fun and meaningful, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary romance and those looking for an uplifting story.

I was interested in reading this as a plus size romcom fan, but this was… something. I know it is a makeover show, based on What Not to Wear, but that also killed this for me. The pacing was all over the place, and the overall story was… not great.

I think this story will help so many women feel seen and appreciated!

3.5-4 stars
Everly has spent her entire life trying to blend into the background so she won’t be criticized for anything, mostly her weight. When she unexpectedly becomes the new star of her favorite reality show, On The Plus Side, she is thrust into the spotlight as the hosts help her to overcome her fears and embrace herself. As she moves through the filming process, she becomes friends to one of the cameramen, Logan. When the showrunners attempt to make her life seem like something it’s not, Everly must decide whether she wants to fade into the background, or stand up for what she wants.

Overall, this was a cute story. It wasn’t anything overly amazing (to me). I appreciated how it showed the behind the scenes of what probably does happen on most reality tv sets and how things can easily get twisted. I also enjoyed Everly’s character arc and how the hosts were truly there to make sure she was seen.

However, I didn’t feel like the relationship between Everly and Logan was organic. It felt forced for the sake of the story and the spice was definitely not needed.

I think there are people who will absolutely devour this book, especially with the plus size representation that Jenny put in here!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and #netgalley for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

**This review was delayed due to the St. Martin's Press boycott. I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.**

This was a fun read with a plus size heroine who didn't size-shame herself but still struggled with being herself. I've had some books where the plus-size characters unnecessarily fat-shame and insist they must lose weight and the character development revolves around that. Everly's journey is much more focused on reclaiming her confidence, pushing herself to take risks, an confronting the way people have hurt her.
The side characters are fun, especially the tv show hosts.
Now onto the romance. I loved how it started with a bit of the grump-sunshine trope and evolved. The way Logan can't contain himself after telling Everly to not break the 4th wall, is fantastic. This book is low spice with a few explicit scenes but nothing very lengthy. Much of the relationship build is focused on them opening up to each other and their banter/chemistry. I also like how Logan stick by Everly throughout.
Overall this book kept me turning the pages and cheering the couple on. It was a fun read with positive messages about taking chances, following your dreams, and loving yourself.

I really enjoyed this story. It had fresh ideas and I loved the main relationship. I will definitely recommend this to others.

On the Plus Side brings together lots of fun things (makeover shows, friendships, and lumberjack-esque heros) and mixes them together to give you a story of loving yourself, inside and out, and finding love along the way. I liked the story, and I really enjoyed the cast of characters. There was. lot going on throughout the story, but it was a lot of fun.

Everly is all of us in our teenage adult years. Young, with big dreams, but not quite sure how to pursue them. We’re trying to figure lots of things out: our jobs, our friendships, our future partner, but it’s not always easy. Luckily, for Everly, there’s On the Plus Side a makeover show focused on fat people, providing a place for show guests and viewers alike, a place to see fat people thrive. I honestly think this would be such a fun show in real life. When Everly is nominated she’s excited to be a part of the show she’s been a long time fan of, she’s both ecstatic and nervous. Will she be brave enough to let her true self be aired out.

While this story was sold as s romance, it really toed the line. I don’t think the romance was the main plot of the story, but it wasn’t 100% B plot either. The focus of the story was really on Everly, and because of this the romance was part of it, but it could have been close to the same story without. Usually, I don’t really enjoy the type of stories where we kinda see the FMC through the trials of her life, but I liked this one, perhaps because she wasn’t going through lots of sad catalysts for her growth.

While I feel like this story and the journey it took me on, I was disappointed by how it all wrapped up. The story ended up being overdramaticized and it felt like it was just for the sake of it. It also wasn’t something happening in the relationship (which goes back to my point about this story toeing the line). It made the story a little less enjoyable for me and took away from the makeover show concept.

Despite its flaws, On the Plus Side is one of those stories that reminds you to love yourself and love well along the well. It has the representation so often lacking from romance novels with a fun concept added in to boot. I am curious to check out another book by this author because I’m not 100% sure if we vibe yet, but I’d love to find out.

This story had potential for me, but I don’t think I vibe with Jenny L. Howe’s writing style. I just couldn’t get into this one.

I liked the idea of this book and I really liked the representation however I just felt like it could have been more? Just like Everly wanted to be more of herself but was afraid of being seen as too much I feel like that was accurately portrayed in this book because I felt like it should have been more. Slightly missed the mark for me.

*I received a free ARC from NetGalley*

🎧 Audiobook Review: On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe 🎧

This heartfelt and empowering story by Jenny L. Howe totally won me over! 🎀 The protagonist's journey is full of charm, humor, and a beautiful message about self-love and body positivity. The audiobook narration perfectly captured the emotional ups and downs, making it such an immersive experience. I couldn't stop listening! 😊

If you’re looking for a feel-good romance with depth and heart, On the Plus Side is a must-add to your TBR! 💖

Thank you St. Martin's Press for granting me access to this title!

#AudiobookReview #OnThePlusSide #JennyLHowe #BodyPositivity #FeelGoodReads #Bookstagram #RomanceReads

Ive had this on my ARC shelf for a year. I wish i got to it sooner. Because one i love books that revolve around reality tv. And second was the character was plus size. Not anlot of authors write about plus size characters it was refreshing and i could actually picture myself as the character. Also i disliked the mother who always said i did it because i loce her i hid hereay because people would make fun of her. I really wanted to get inthis book and slap her. But over all the writing is good the narrator was awesome. I switched between the ebook and audio. Sadly have to do tjat a lot lately because of my bad eye sight

As a plus size girly myself, I really appreciated the representation and overall message the story was trying to tell its audience. I just cant help but feel there is SOMETHING missing from the story. I really only felt connected to our FMC, and even with her I think I just wanted a bit MORE. More plot, more character development, more banter and dialogue. I'm still giving this 3 stars

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

I read Howe’s first book and thought it was just fine, so I wanted to give her next book a chance. Unfortunately, I liked this one even less. While I do think she has great plus size representation and body positivity, in general the writing is really lacking for me. Some of the wording she used crossed the line from cheesy to cringy and it was a little tough to read.

I thought the idea of this show was great, but some things just didn’t interest me - like the renaissance fair. I find that books that are made to be like reality tv don’t usually work, especially if the authors try to incorporate some sort of internet pieces (forums, tweets, magazine articles). It always feels cheesy and out of place. In this one we had some magazine articles and “readit” forums and they just did not work.

I also found that the characters did not stand out to me. Everly isn’t very exciting, but we do know more about her than Logan. We know next to nothing about Logan, other than he’s quiet, wears flannel, and wants to open a rescue for senior dogs. He just seemed like a prop for most of the book and is super forgettable. I really didn’t get any romantic chemistry between them because he just didn’t seem real. I think the author tried but it just didn’t come through.

This will probably be the last book I read from this author because I’m just not impressed by anything I’ve read so far and wouldn’t recommend them to others.